Jacob, Johanssen (Math Enthusiast) Mathematics grades 9, 11, and 12
Assignment 7 Read the Book MI in the Elementary Classroom. Pick two activities from the back of the chapters. Implement two of these ideas into your class. Write a report of 250 (+-) words describing your activity.
Activity #1 Entry Points In my junior level IBD Mathematical studies class I teach students who are anywhere from 16 to 17 years old.
When studying Arithmetic Sequences we were getting ready to move into summing the sequences (series). The topic is not too interesting to non-mathematical people so I decided to try to pull in the students by starting the lesson with a narrative (about Carl Gauss and his method to easily add sequences). I described the scene where the story supposedly happened and then even acted out some of the frustration one of the story characters would have had. The students responded well and even identified with frustrated character. The children responded very positively and were engaged in the lesson. The amazing part was how the narrative added a human element to a math lesson, something not easily done. I will definitely do this activity next time I teach the lesson. Something that would be cool to do is to talk to some students before and get them to act out the story. I have several students who are great actors and love to act so I think this would get even more buy in from the students, especially since it would help take me out of the spotlight.
Activity #2 As previously discussed in class, the high school only had two days left of class and since each class did not meet everyday, I actually only had one class where I was not reviewing material so I was only able to do an activity with my Juniors. I have developed an activity using the Authentic Problems Pathway and I will do it upon my return to school. It will be done with my ninth-grade math classes consisting of 14 and 15 year olds.
The activity: You own a restaurant and are trying to figure out the best way to seat a dinner party. When the party first sit down there are 6 people and they are seated at a table with two on each of the long sides and one on each of the shorter sides. Assuming all of the tables in your restaurant are the same size and it is not possible to fit more than six people at any individual table, if placed end to end, how many tables would you need for a party of 26 people? How many people could be seated at 15 tables?
Assignment 6 Post a copy of your Think Tac Toe using a 3 X 3 table that is color coded. Black for Basic, Blue for mid range, Red for higher level thinking. Be sure to use Bloom’s Taxonomy to develop your TTT.
Parabolic TicTacToe
List and describe the important parts of the graph of a parabola.
Write down a brief summary for how we know when a parabola has 0, 1 or 2 zeros.
Prove the quadratic equation using the completing the square method.
Make a poster describing how to find the x intercepts of a parabola.
Write a program (Calculator or computer) that will find the vertex of a parabola given in standard form.
Using the discriminant of the quadratic equation, create a flip chart to show the three different possible number of x intercepts. * OR on the computer using geometer's sketchpad or autograph.
Act out how you would teach the method of factoring to your little brother or sister and show at least 3 examples.
Make up a quiz of at least 3 problems solving for the zeros of a parabola. Solve each problem using all three methods we know. Rank each method per problem and justify why you gave each rating. (for example, this is the best method because…)
Make a drawing to illustrate the relationship between the different types of parabolas (opening up/down and with different numbers of roots. Include the equations as labels
Assignment 5 Comment on possible advantages of having AlphaBet Syndrome. Why might nature have done this? Is there any genetic advantage to any of these special populations.
Reflection #2: I think in order to answer this question we must first think if any of these traits have a benefit. I personally have been diagnosed as ADHD (anyone who knows me is not surprised) and have long-since tried to explain that it is more than just being really hyper. At my best, I can use my enormous amounts of energy for good, not evil. At my worst, I’m not listening to something that doesn’t hold my attention or am not able to sit still for long amounts of time. Nature (I’ll use Nature, insert whatever name you would like) may have created people like me because we can keep going after most people quit, we also can help bring up other’s energy levels.
I was thinking about women being better at multi-tasking than men, and I wondered if that’s a product of Nature as well. More often than not, women raised children, and especially in the hunter-gatherer time, women had to gather as well. So women were multi-tasking their entire lives while the men were just hunting. This could be the reason for the developed difference.
Back on the subject, with Asperger’s/ Autism may have been developed to help some humans intensely concentrate on specific topics to help advance the culture. There is certainly a benefit for all if one person is able to understand and put all effort toward one specific goal. On the other end of the spectrum, if everyone were concentrating on one thing, humans might not have discovered other things through play or just plain getting off-track. This could be another reason to have ADD/ADHD people around, they certainly would have wandered into strange places while everyone else was busy focusing on the problem (or situation).
Assignment 4 Cut and paste the Learning Matrix activity from page 3 on to your page and tell me which Special population you worked on.
.............................. Group Members
................................ Special Population
...................................... Brief description of Population
....................................................................................... Learning tips in content, process, Products or environment
Jake, Susana, Ruthie
ADHD
ADHD is a special subset of the population characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Typically speaking, a school setting is not the only place this is/should be diagnosed. People must exhibit the symptoms in two or more settings in order to be diagnosed. ADHD is distinguished from ADD by hyperactivity and impulsivity so here is a little more information about those two symptoms. Hyperactivity may be manifested through fidgeting, leaving his/her seat often, excessive talking and other ways. Impulsivity may include blurting out answers before questions have been completed, difficulty taking turns, interruptions, and other ways. It should be noted that ADD and ADHD are very often misdiagnosed.
In my (Jacob’s) opinion far too often people are calling themselves ADD or ADHD to inappropriately describe when they are unable to pay attention or are hyper. This is comparable to calling someone who can’t remember something a retard and should be avoided as it is ignorant and offensive.
It is difficult for this group of students to follow very long complex sets of instructions and tasks. It is difficult for these students to work for long periods of time without breaks (they can go longer when it is something they picked to do). Large group situations can be challenging. This children may test limits (consciously or subconsciously). It is tough for these students to get organized.
break complex tasks into smaller steps provide structure instruction in morning hours frequent breaks small groups preferential seating non verbal cues when student is off track Immediate and positive reinforcement Clear expectations
Assignment 3 Tell me on your wiki page the name of the cartoon on the Cartoon Assignment on Page 2 that you worked on:
Adding Fractions: (Susana and Jake)
Assignment 2 Comment on your recent learning in our class about multiple intelligence theory or learning styles.
Reflection #1 Something that I have already learned in class: I have been familiar with the multiple intelligences theory for some time now, but I did not understand it fully. I did not realize the criteria in order to be considered intelligence. I think the characteristic that surprised me the most was that each intelligence needed to have its own symbol system. I never thought about how the different intelligences communicated. I guess that I just never expected a symbol system for bodily-kinesthetic thinkers (even though that was my highest according to a test I just took).
The other thing that surprised me was to learn that multi-tasking is not really possible. That fact alone has made me rethink my classroom. I have an e-beam and can easily and quickly upload all of the course notes up on our website. If I can (and do) do this, why do I still make students take such detailed notes? I am starting to think about changing this policy and I would love to experiment with this with several students.
Assignment 1 Tell us all 3 to 5 things about you that you would like us all to know about you. This is a written version of the Business card activity.
This is me hiking the Camino Salkantay toward Machu Picchu
Three things I would like to share:
1) Math is like salt. If you eat it raw, you will never want to try it again. However, when used properly, it will bring out the natural flavors of everything!
2) I love pushing my comfort zone and I try to push it whenever possible.
3) I am not afraid of change, I am more afraid of things staying the same forever.
Mathematics grades 9, 11, and 12
Assignment 7
Read the Book MI in the Elementary Classroom. Pick two activities from the back of the chapters. Implement two of these ideas into your class. Write a report of 250 (+-) words describing your activity.
Activity #1 Entry Points
In my junior level IBD Mathematical studies class I teach students who are anywhere from 16 to 17 years old.
When studying Arithmetic Sequences we were getting ready to move into summing the sequences (series). The topic is not too interesting to non-mathematical people so I decided to try to pull in the students by starting the lesson with a narrative (about Carl Gauss and his method to easily add sequences). I described the scene where the story supposedly happened and then even acted out some of the frustration one of the story characters would have had. The students responded well and even identified with frustrated character. The children responded very positively and were engaged in the lesson. The amazing part was how the narrative added a human element to a math lesson, something not easily done. I will definitely do this activity next time I teach the lesson. Something that would be cool to do is to talk to some students before and get them to act out the story. I have several students who are great actors and love to act so I think this would get even more buy in from the students, especially since it would help take me out of the spotlight.
Activity #2
As previously discussed in class, the high school only had two days left of class and since each class did not meet everyday, I actually only had one class where I was not reviewing material so I was only able to do an activity with my Juniors. I have developed an activity using the Authentic Problems Pathway and I will do it upon my return to school. It will be done with my ninth-grade math classes consisting of 14 and 15 year olds.
The activity:
You own a restaurant and are trying to figure out the best way to seat a dinner party. When the party first sit down there are 6 people and they are seated at a table with two on each of the long sides and one on each of the shorter sides. Assuming all of the tables in your restaurant are the same size and it is not possible to fit more than six people at any individual table, if placed end to end, how many tables would you need for a party of 26 people? How many people could be seated at 15 tables?
Assignment 6
Post a copy of your Think Tac Toe using a 3 X 3 table that is color coded. Black for Basic, Blue for mid range, Red for higher level thinking. Be sure to use Bloom’s Taxonomy to develop your TTT.
Parabolic TicTacToe
Assignment 5
Comment on possible advantages of having AlphaBet Syndrome. Why might nature have done this? Is there any genetic advantage to any of these special populations.
Reflection #2:
I think in order to answer this question we must first think if any of these traits have a benefit. I personally have been diagnosed as ADHD (anyone who knows me is not surprised) and have long-since tried to explain that it is more than just being really hyper. At my best, I can use my enormous amounts of energy for good, not evil. At my worst, I’m not listening to something that doesn’t hold my attention or am not able to sit still for long amounts of time. Nature (I’ll use Nature, insert whatever name you would like) may have created people like me because we can keep going after most people quit, we also can help bring up other’s energy levels.
I was thinking about women being better at multi-tasking than men, and I wondered if that’s a product of Nature as well. More often than not, women raised children, and especially in the hunter-gatherer time, women had to gather as well. So women were multi-tasking their entire lives while the men were just hunting. This could be the reason for the developed difference.
Back on the subject, with Asperger’s/ Autism may have been developed to help some humans intensely concentrate on specific topics to help advance the culture. There is certainly a benefit for all if one person is able to understand and put all effort toward one specific goal. On the other end of the spectrum, if everyone were concentrating on one thing, humans might not have discovered other things through play or just plain getting off-track. This could be another reason to have ADD/ADHD people around, they certainly would have wandered into strange places while everyone else was busy focusing on the problem (or situation).
Assignment 4
Cut and paste the Learning Matrix activity from page 3 on to your page and tell me which Special population you worked on.
Group Members
Special
Population
Brief description of Population
Learning Challenges
Learning tips in content, process, Products or environment
In my (Jacob’s) opinion far too often people are calling themselves ADD or ADHD to inappropriately describe when they are unable to pay attention or are hyper.
This is comparable to calling someone who can’t remember something a retard and should be avoided as it is ignorant and offensive.
It is difficult for these students to work for long periods of time without breaks (they can go longer when it is something they picked to do).
Large group situations can be challenging.
This children may test limits (consciously or subconsciously).
It is tough for these students to get organized.
provide structure
instruction in morning hours
frequent breaks
small groups
preferential seating
non verbal cues when student is off track Immediate and positive reinforcement
Clear expectations
Assignment 3
Tell me on your wiki page the name of the cartoon on the Cartoon Assignment on Page 2 that you worked on:
Adding Fractions: (Susana and Jake)
Assignment 2
Comment on your recent learning in our class about multiple intelligence theory or learning styles.
Reflection #1
Something that I have already learned in class:
I have been familiar with the multiple intelligences theory for some time now, but I did not understand it fully. I did not realize the criteria in order to be considered intelligence. I think the characteristic that surprised me the most was that each intelligence needed to have its own symbol system. I never thought about how the different intelligences communicated. I guess that I just never expected a symbol system for bodily-kinesthetic thinkers (even though that was my highest according to a test I just took).
The other thing that surprised me was to learn that multi-tasking is not really possible. That fact alone has made me rethink my classroom. I have an e-beam and can easily and quickly upload all of the course notes up on our website. If I can (and do) do this, why do I still make students take such detailed notes? I am starting to think about changing this policy and I would love to experiment with this with several students.
Assignment 1
Tell us all 3 to 5 things about you that you would like us all to know about you. This is a written version of the Business card activity.
Three things I would like to share:
1) Math is like salt. If you eat it raw, you will never want to try it again. However, when used properly, it will bring out the natural flavors of everything!
2) I love pushing my comfort zone and I try to push it whenever possible.
3) I am not afraid of change, I am more afraid of things staying the same forever.
4) I don't always finish what I st